Asian Aid is a registered Christian non-profi t organisation and a signatory to the Australian Council For International Development (ACFID) Code of Conduct.

PA PO Box 333 Wauchope NSW 2246 AustraliaP 02 6586 4250 F 02 9012 0827 E contact@asianaid.org.au W asianaid.org.au

PROJECT PROFILE

Improvement Project: Kollegal School for the Hearing and Speech Impaired

What does this project aim to achieve?

The Kollegal School for the Hearing and Speech Impaired in India has three urgent needs: the need for a new dormitory to accommodate up to one hundred boys, the need for the introduction of a new vocational course and the need for in-service teacher training in the latest methodologies for teaching special-needs children. This Improvement Project aims to address these needs by raising the necessary funds. More than one hundred children are taught sign language along with other school subjects, and older children are also taught basic vocational skills, such as tailoring at the school.

Who does this project help?

Each aspect of this project will help different people. The building of a new dormitory for the boys will help all the students at the Kollegal School. Currently, the boys and girls are housed in the same building with 64 boys sleeping in two small hostel-like rooms. A separate dormitory for the boys will reduce congestion issues and improve privacy for all students, while opening up the possibility of using the current boys’ rooms as a science lab and an audio studio. The introduction of a new vocational course in computer literacy will help the older children at the school gain valuable skills and improve their employability prospects. Research suggests that employers in India often hire hearing-impaired workers for data entry work. This computer literacy course would complement the tailoring course that is currently available at the school. A shed is already available on campus to ‘house’ the new vocational course. The in-service teacher training component of this project would help up-skill seven teachers.

Why has Asian Aid chosen this project?

Asian Aid has chosen to support this Improvement Project because it believes this project can make a real and positive difference in the lives of some of the most disadvantaged children in India. Although deafness is quite common in the area due to cultural practices of marrying within the family, it is still poorly understood and deaf children often experience prejudice, discrimination and fewer opportunities. With the support of many donors, Asian Aid has already invested considerable resources in building the capacity of the Kollegal School for the Hearing and Speech Impaired. The school boasts a strong curriculum, caring and professional teachers, a budding vocational program, well-constructed buildings and surrounding vegetable gardens. The Improvement Project will continue to give hope to the special-needs children who learn and live there. That’s why Asian Aid has chosen to support it.

Status: New Country Office: Asian Aid Australia

Duration: July 2011 – June 2013 Budget: $120,000

Project Coordinator: Quentin Campbell:

Asian Aid is a registered Christian non-profi t organisation and a signatory to the Australian Council For International Development (ACFID) Code of Conduct.

PA PO Box 333 Wauchope NSW 2246 AustraliaP 02 6586 4250 F 02 9012 0827 E contact@asianaid.org.au W asianaid.org.au

PROJECT PROFILE

When will this project begin and/or end?

The need for a new boys’ dormitory at the Kollegal School is urgent. Work towards the completion of this project will begin as soon as funding has been raised. It is anticipated that work will begin by July 2011 and be completed by July 2012. Starting up a vocational course, including curriculum development, teacher hiring and training and infrastructure support, will take up to two years.

How will this project be funded?

This project will be funded by Asian Aid Australia through donations made specifically to this project by our donors and supporters.

What can you do to help?

Asian Aid needs to raise $120,000 towards the School Improvement Project. You can help up give hope today by donating specifically to this project. Please visit www.asianaid.org.au or call us on (02) 6586 4250 with your credit card details. Opportunities to volunteer may exist for builders to help with the building work, and for teachers to help write a vocational course curriculum and to conduct in-service training for local teachers within the scope of this project. Call Quentin Campbell on (02) 6586 4250 (+ extension 1333) for more information about these opportunities please. We value your practical contribution and continued prayers for the work Asian Aid does. We could not do it without you. Thank you.